‘Restructuring’ Behind Chief’s Separation Agreement

At their September 27 legislative meeting, North Strabane Township Supervisors unanimously approved a measure to enter into a separation agreement with Police Chief Brian Hughes. No comments from township officials were offered that night. WJPA filed a Right To Know request to try and determine the circumstances surrounding the separation. Township Manager Andrew Walz provided a separation agreement signed by Hughes and the township that detailed the issue. According to the seven page separation agreement Chief Hughes is departing the department under a restructuring of the police department. He officially went on a “personal leave of absence” beginning September 20 and ending on December 31, 2022. He will continue to be paid his base salary and receive health care benefits. He will be paid $42,402 in accrued benefits such as vacation, sick and personal time off among others items. Regarding inquiries of reference, the agreement states that the township will issue a neutral reference only stating the beginning and end dates of Hughes’ employment and that his departure was due to a departmental restructuring. According to the agreement, Hughes’ duties are being assumed by the public safety director and others. No information regarding the hiring process for a new chief was provided.